Press Releases

Hastings’ Statement on Trump Administration’s Failure to Provide Veterans with their Earned Benefits

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) informed Congress that it would not repay underpaid GI benefits to thousands of veterans:

“The VA’s announcement that it will ignore federal law and cheat veterans out of their GI benefits is insulting and unacceptable. The VA has the responsibility to provide for our veterans, and failing to uphold these responsibilities is a betrayal of the public’s trust.

“The Trump Administration’s leadership of the VA has been characterized by gross negligence and severe failures in oversight. The Administration continues to undercut the VA’s mission to our veterans, and its leaders now appear to think that they can adopt Donald Trump’s own approach to leadership by refusing to fulfil its obligations to those it owes.

“The President claims to champion veterans, but today’s announcement reiterates just how little he understands our nation’s commitment to the veteran community. If the Administration will not provide our veterans with their earned benefits, Congress must step in to ensure that every veteran gets the benefits they are entitled to.”

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Democratic Chairman of the Florida Delegation.